Archivist is a six-peice, conceptual "etheral metal" band consisting of musicians from around Europe. They have so far released two albums that chronicle an unfolding sci-fi saga. I've been following the band since its inception, having already become addicted to the string-infused post-hardcore of Anopheli which shares two members with this group. While our exchange here is relatively brief, I was pleased to get further insight into the band in terms of the story, influences, and Alex's stunning art skills.
Metal Trenches: First off, can you tell our readers a bit about where you’re all from and how you came together?
Gerfried: Matthias (guitar), Hannes (bass), Gerfried (guitar), and Steff (drums) are from Austria. Anna (vocals) is from Germany, and Alex (vocals) is from England. Many years ago, Matthias and I played in a hardcore band called Plague Mass. Matthias also played in an indie band called Pilots with Hannes. Being a drummer, Steff has played in many bands, mostly metal, but Matthias and I knew him from his screamo band Dimirij. So, we gave him a call—it must have been 2014—and asked him if he wanted to join our new band, Archivist. I had just returned from London, where I had lived for three years. I knew Alex, who lived in London, from his emo-crust band Fall of Efrafa. In 2011, we started playing in bands together. Our first band Momentum later morphed into Carnist (fast hardcore). In 2012, I joined Alex’s post-metal band Light Bearer. Around the time when Light Bearer split up, Alex joined Archivist and brought Anna, formerly of German post-metal band Amber, with him.
Alex: They initially wanted a German speaker as a singer, but I sold my funny little story about The Archivist to them. Almost like an audition! Anna was looking to start a new band, and I thought it would be really awesome to have her involved. She has a very powerful voice and I think our vocals mesh well, and it makes for a more interesting sound.
What would you consider your primary influences when it comes to Archivist?
Gerfried: Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey has definitely been a big influence on Archivist. Musically, we’re quite eclectic. We all have different musical backgrounds, from indie to hardcore/punk to metal. I love The Smiths!
For those not aware, Archivist chronicles an ongoing sci-fi odyssey of sorts. Could you catch the uninitiated up in terms of the events of ‘Archivist’ where we can expect the story to evolve with Construct and beyond?
Alex: The outline of the story was written long ago, an idea I wanted to explore in a later band, and when Gerfried asked me to join Archivist, it seemed the perfect fit. The music has this kind of ethereal driving feel to it, and the melodies were all very broad and operatic. The basic premise is one of human hubris, trying to control our technology, which backfires when it claims personhood. This ends in mutually annihilation, except for a stowaway on a ship – the Archivist, and an AI built into the ship – Construct. Both are the lone survivors of their respective species, and in the wake of their peoples destruction they must find some kind of purpose, and yet they are unable to, set adrift in the endless expanse of space. The AI wishes to find the source of its creator and delves into some theological and philosophical digressions, whilst the Archivist is put in stasis for 2000 years. It is both a story of duality – how they both find purpose in one another, but also one of machine Gods, existential crisis, religion and belief. There is one more part in this story which we can tell. If it happens it will be called Triumvirate. The band exists in the same universe as our other band Morrow, playing out from different millennia. They are entirely separate bands, but they are linked by ancestors and descendants of the Archivist. It’s all very pretentious, but a lot of fun to play with.
I may be getting ahead of myself, but I feel like the artwork and concept lends itself well to a collection. Thoughts about a box set in the future? Barring that, where can people buy your music?
Alex: Who knows about a box set. If there is interest, we might!
Gerfried: Our records are distributed in the US by Halo of Flies
Speaking of the artwork, let’s talk about who did it and where the style came from. It’s very eye-catching.
Gerfried: Alex is an artist. He does all the artwork. The illustrations that adorn our record sleeves are original drawings by Alex.
What’s your favorite song on the new album and why?
Gerfried: That’s a tough question! I don’t know. A lot of comments and reviews mention “Birth of Ire”.
Alex: “Birth or Ire” is a good song. Mine is "The Negotiation," I love that huge Neurosis style riff in the middle.
A few of you have a number of different projects. Is it hard to juggle them all?
Gerfried: Not really. The projects you speak of—I presume you mean other bands—are not that time-consuming, but our day jobs are. We don’t play that many shows.
Are there any plans to play this material live?
Gerfried: Absolutely. We have some shows scheduled for May and June (Europe).
Last question: shout out another underground metal band that you think our readers should check out. Why should they check them out? Any other closing thoughts on Archivist or Construct?
Gerfried: Our last tour was with Moro Moro Land from Russia. They’re a great band and super cool dudes!
Archivist will continue to play and record music for the foreseeable future. We’re already writing new material. Construct, our new LP, will be out in May!
